Today, for the sixth time, Americans will mourn as a nation for the tragedy that occurred on September 11 2001. For some, the day is a reminder of a family member- a mother, brother or husband who went to work and never came home. But for many Americans the grief they will experience today is not the result of a personal loss: this grief comes from the loss of trust that the American people now live with because of the actions our government took post 9/11.

On September 13 2001, President Bush stated that finding Osama bin Laden was the nation's number one priority. One week later he declared war on bin Laden, al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Six months later, President Bush started changing his rhetoric. Finding Osama bin Laden was no longer a priority. Instead, he named Saddam Hussein and Iraq as the U.S.' biggest enemies. Looking back, many Americans are now able to see how this lie, an apparent link between Hussein, al-Qaeda, and weapons of mass destruction, has brought about the current state of the nation. One that is weary and weakened.

Of the initial priorities Bush outlined in the weeks following 9/11, none have been accomplished. Osama bin Laden has not been captured . The popularity of al-Qaeda is not declining and this extremist organization operates on a global scale (al-Qaeda is not just Afghanistan's problem, it's a problem for many nations.) Even Afghanistan itself is not completely rid of members of the Taliban. They're currently re-grouping inside Afghanistan near the borders with Pakistan.

So now Americans find themselves in a tough and unsettling situation. On the anniversary of 9/11 we ask ourselves if justice has been carried out. Are we safer? Can the families of the deceased say with confidence that those who helped fund and train the 19 hijackers have been punished? Have we stopped the spread of Islamic extremist ideals and helped bring democracy to the Middle East? The answer is 'No.'

In the weeks leading up to this year's anniversary American newspapers were full of negative headlines. We've been dealing with product recalls due to lead contamination from China, stock and economy worries because of a mortgage crisis and an annoying and pervasive pre-presidential election period.

The begining of the new Osama's video realised recently. (Taken from Counterterrorismblog.org)

Then towards the middle of last week there was more disturbing news of an attempted terrorist attack in Germany (that was stopped) and on Friday Bin laden released a new video to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the terrorist attack he inspired.

Bin Laden has not released a new video since 2004 when he threatened to disrupt the US presidential elections of that year. Until now some of us were under the impression that bin Laden was dead because of his supposed kidney problems. But despite a few physical changes, such as the newly dyed beard and a swap of army fatigues for more traditional clothing, bin Laden has not changed much and neither has his rhetoric.

 Among the many statements bin Laden makes in his 30 minute video a few strike me as being relevant and accurate. He questions the American populations' reasoning behind electing Bush for a second term. We had the opportunity to change direction in the war on terrorism and in Iraq, but the nation chose not to. He also states that those who started the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have not been held accountable for their actions.

Will Bush ever be held accountable for the war he started in Iraq based on the false evidence he presented and against the wishes of the United Nations and many nations around the world? The possibility is slim, but I and many other Americans would find peace in Bush being punished for his very real crimes. 

Still, Bin Laden threats won't concern most Americans for more than a couple days, but his video highlights a growing concern and resentment across the nation.

The differences between what the American response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center should have been and what occurred is frightening. 9/11 has become, for various reasons, less about the tragedy that occurred on that day and more about the tragedies that are occurring globally involving both the loss of Iraqi and Afghani lives and the loss of many soldiers from around the world.

For me, today is a reflection of the horrendous act of hatred that occurred in the U.S. and how this hatred has seemingly multiplied and spread around the world. What should have been an opportunity to help foster democracy in Afghanistan (a nation we left to the Taliban in the 1970's) and capture bin Laden, has turned into a chaotic mess of democracy thriving (maybe) in Kabul and in the Green Zone in Iraq. While bin Laden is on the loose, free to make intimidating and hazardous videos against Americans and the Western world.

September 11th is truly a day of loss and a day of reflection, but not in a way that is obvious to those living on the outside. We don't just grieve for the tragedy that occurred on 9/11 anymore. We grieve for the tragedy that occurred after Hurricane Katrina, for the soldiers who die daily in Iraq and Afghanistan and for our politicians, on both sides of the political spectrum, who are incompetent.

 

Leálo en español.